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| <- [[10b Smike and the Red Dragon]]  |  [[12 The Black Spike]] -> |
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====== 11 A New Friend ======

===== Apr 28 At Pthia's Temple =====

<div right tip>Session \\ 2009-03-22</div>

[[Pthia]], [[Khouhn]], [[Tak]], & [[Veelas]] are teleported to [[Pthia]]'s forest temple.  The adventurers realize they've left [[Quell]] and [[Smike]] behind but can do nothing for them.

The temple leader tells of a druid gathering approaching.

In the morning 7 shrouded figures approach the temple with two wolves.  One wolf transforms into a halfling, [[Chikurin]].  He is friendly and tells of his druid family.  Druids are coincidentally seeking knowledge of the [[Tharzidun]] and the goings on at the [[Temple of All Consumption]].  Adventurers are planning to go back as soon as possible so [[Chikurin]] offers to come along.  Druids offer to pay nearby wizard to teleport party back.

===== Apr 30 =====

==== 10am Nasquent and the Dragon ====

After traveling through woods for 2 days, the party finds the wizard's tower.  The wizard agrees to the bargain and teleports the party to the [[Earth Door]] in the [[Temple of All Consumption]].  [[Pthia]] immediately //dimension doors// them to the guard room in the [[Outer Fane]].  

Coming out of guard room party encounters [[Nasquent]] guiding an ominous floating ball directly towards them.  [[Chikurin]]'s wolf bites at orb and gets sucked into oblivion.

<div right tip>Session \\ 2009-03-22</div>

[[Nasquent]] is resistant to much magic but party is able to drive her off--she teleports away.

[[Pthia]] finds that by concentrating she can attract the oblivion sphere towards her but she can't direct it.  Otherwise the sphere floats back to the altar.

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG76.jpg}}

Traveling down the hall they approach the dragon's lair.  [[Pthia]] stays in front, projecting an //antilife field//.  The dragon appears on her hoard, and attacks.  She is able to push through [[Pthia]]'s field so [[Khouhn]] & [[Tak]] rush in to distract the dragon.  The dragon releases a mighty torrent of flame--[[Pthia]] absorbs the fire without harm, [[Veelas]] & [[Khouhn]] evade, and [[Chikurin]] is out of range.  Only [[Tak]] is hurt.

[[Chikurin]] proves his worth!  He //baleful polymorphs// the dragon into a bunny rabbit (bright red!) that [[Tak]] & [[Khouhn]] pin down and slay.  The adventurers killed a dragon!  When the rabbit dies it grows suddenly back into its natural form.  The party searches the remains and finds evidence that [[Quell]] was consumed--they pay him their last respects.

The hoard consists mostly of cheap coins (copper & silver) but party selects some.  They also find a magic armband.

<div right tip>Session \\ 2009-04-04</div>

==== 11am Two Drow kill Pthia ====

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG103.jpg}}

Party continues north, encounter 2 drow (male & female).  Male drow creates a //wall of fire// directly on [[Khouhn]].  [[Tak]] jumps through.  The drows fly but [[Tak]] throws [[Khouhn]] who grapples the male.  [[Khouhn]] is able to pin the male, preventing him from casting more spells.  [[Veelas]], blocked by flames, summons a (giant?) owl on the far side of the wall.  The owl finishes off the male drow and he falls with [[Khouhn]].

Meanwhile, [[Pthia]] engages the floating female drow.  The drow mutters a curse and touches [[Pthia]] on the chest--she slumps in mid-air.  [[Chikurin]] summons an arrowhawk to kill the female.

The adventurers get [[Pthia]] down to find her dead!  They decide they must retreat but want to find out what happened to [[Smike]] first.  [[Chikurin]] tracks dragon's stale scent to mindflayer's pit.  [[Tak]] goes down, finds immovable rod in front of pile of rubble where it looks like [[Smike]] tried to hide.  No sign that he is still alive.

==== 12pm Party meets Varachan ====

<div right tip>Session \\ 2009-04-26</div>

Adventurers go back to the fire door (dragon lair) to //dimension door// across bridge.  They are approached by an armoured man--he has a rat with red whiskers on his shoulders.  He persuades the adventurers to follow him into a private room.  There he pulls off his helmet to reveal the scarred visage of an elf.  He introduces himself as [[Varachan]], party's secret ally.

Rat transforms into [[Smike]]--he's alive!  He tells of his [[10b Smike and the Red Dragon | adventures since he was left behind]].  [[Smike]] has heard [[Varachan]]'s tale and tells party to listen.

[[Varachan]] is [[Hederack]]'s lieutenant.  Long ago he was servant of [[Iolo]] "the Healer".  He tells sad story of how he fell to evil: his wife was with child when a horde attacked and killed mother and child, forcing him to watch and leaving him alive.  In his rage he sought oblivion and joined the [[doomdreamers]]. But he has come to see hope and beauty in the world and wants to stop [[Tharzidun]].  

[[Varachan]] raises [[Pthia]] from dead and aids party.

He asks that heroes stop [[Hederack]]'s plan to raise [[Tharzidun]]--it has nearly come to fruition.  He explains that the [[champions]] can summon the [[Princes of Elemental Evil]]: [[Ogremoch]] (earth), [[Olhydra]] (water), [[Yan-C-Bin]] (air), & [[Imix]] (fire).  The princes will complete the ritual.  The [[doomdreamers]] are led by a [[triad]]: a human, aboleth & half-elemental.  They seek to uncover the [[elemental nodes]] at the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]]--[[fire node]] has already been uncovered.  Need to find [[Orb of Oblivion]] or [[Orb of Silvery Death]] (skulls with slots for gems) to open doors to [[nodes]].  [[Nodes]] are portals to elemental plane.

[[Varachan]] tells us that to enter the [[inner fane]] we will first have to get past //walls of force//.  There will be 6 questions:
  - //WHO// (are you?)
  - //WHAT// (do you bring before you?)
  - //WHERE// (are you now?)
  - //WHY// (have you come here?)
  - //WHEN// (shall I ([[Tharzidun]]) be free?)
  - //WHO// (am I?) A:[[Tharzidun]]
[[Varachan]] tells us to answer the questions honestly to get past the //walls of force//.

But first party needs to get through the secret door.  Plan is to go north to find key-gem after resting and recovering.

==== 8pm Siren and clones ====

{{ succubus.jpg?400}}

[[Varachan]] will //detect thoughts// on heroes while he further infiltrates the [[doomdreamers]].  If they run into trouble they can call on him by simply thinking of him.  Before parting [[Khouhn]], moved by [[Varachan]]'s sad tale, dedicates himself to [[Varachan]]'s cause--to prevent [[Tharzidun]] from being raised.

Traveling north heroes come to a room with 64 clones of a bald man along the walls.  They see the gem on a pedestal in the room, at the bottom of the stairs.  [[Veelas]] & [[Khouhn]] go in to retrieve it.  They find a woman bound to the wall and free her.  She charms them both and weakens [[Veelas]] with a kiss.

[[Pthia]] sees they're in trouble and rushes down the stairs but charmed [[Khouhn]] grabs her and pins her to the stairs.  [[Veelas]] frees his mind from the siren's charm and traps her in //black tentacles//.

<div right tip>Session \\ 2009-07-11</div>

[[Smike]] dispels charm from [[Khouhn]] and he releases [[Pthia]].  [[Veelas]], [[Khouhn]], [[Tak]], & [[Pthia]] inflict damage, siren teleports away.

==== 9pm Arrowhawks & invisible stalkers ====

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG199.jpg}}

[[Veelas]] has gem, should be key to inner fane.  Adventurers choose to continue east to try find [[Hederack]]'s quarters.  They encounter 6 ogres but [[Pthia]] & [[Smike]] finish them off with fire.

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG20a.jpg}}

Continuing east party finds a tall, octaganal room.  Exit to north probably goes to [[Air Door]], they should avoid that.  (Probably guarded by a badass air elemental.) Four arrowhawks swoop down from darkness above and attack--[[Veelas]] sends //dancing lights// up to ceiling to reveal their perches.  

[[Chikurin]] creates //obscuring mist// to hide party while [[Veelas]] transmutes //fly// on [[Khouhn]].  [[Chikurin]] also buffs [[Khouhn]] with //magic fang// and //barkskin//.  [[Khouhn]] flies up to defend party while [[Tak]] & [[Pthia]] cover him with their bows.  Rest of party crosses octaganal room to east door and pass through.

<div right tip>Session \\ 2009-07-20</div>

[[Tak]] is attacked by two invisible stalkers.  He holds position until the rest of the party is out of danger, then he and [[Khouhn]] move out of room.  Arrowhawks don't follow but invisible stalkers continue to harangue.  [[Smike]] burns off mist with a //fireball//, hurting them, and [[Chikurin]] chases them with a //flaming sphere// (under [[Smike]]'s guidance).  [[Khouhn]] traps them at the end of the hall and finishes them off with wild, harried blows, some of which impact.

==== 9pm Nasquent's quarters ====

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG232.jpg}}

{{ EvilFemaleCleric.jpg}}

Party needs rest but wants to misdirect pursuers so decides to continue some way down hallway then double back.  Following stairs down they come to a door and open it as a part of their diversion.  It just happens to be the door to [[Nasquent]]'s quarters.  She promptly summons a spectre that attacks [[Khouhn]] in the doorway.  [[Smike]] shrouds [[Tak]] in //greater invisibility// and he slips by to attack [[Nasquent]].  [[Chikurin]] recognizes [[Nasquent]] as the destroyer of his wolf companion and //summons// a wolf to avenge him.  The wolf trips [[Nasquent]] and she falls prone.

[[Khouhn]]'s speed is almost a match for the spectre's vapours but he shivers as the spectre reaches into his chest and begins to suck the life force from him.  He pulls free but lines of age are etched in his face and flecks of white can be seen in his beard.  The spectre, meanwhile, appears refreshed.  [[Chikurin]] supports [[Khouhn]] with //magic fang//.

Meanwhile, [[Chikurin]]'s wolf pulls [[Nasquent]] down but she completes her spell: [[Smike]], [[Tak]], [[Veelas]] & [[Pthia]] are //compelled// to flee.  [[Tak]] tries to run out the door but gets knocked down by [[Khouhn]] running in (both are //invisible//).  

While the others flee, [[Chikurin]] & [[Khouhn]] kill [[Nasquent]] and the fire elemental she //summoned//.  The adventurers recover from their injuries in a //rope trick//, and [[Pthia]] //restores// [[Khouhn]].  [[Chikurin]] & [[Smike]] trick [[Khouhn]] into accepting a //permanent// //greater magic fang//.


===== May 1 =====

==== 1pm Hederack ====


{{ air_elemental.jpg?400}}
{{ earth_elemental.jpg?400}}
{{ fire_elemental.jpg?400}}
{{ water_elemental.jpg?400}}
{{ EvilMaleCleric.jpg?400}}
{{ succubus.jpg?400}}

The party convinces [[Smike]] to scout up some stairs, where they suspect [[Hederack]] is to be found.  He //invisibles// himself and walks on the ceiling.  In the room at the top he finds a succubus, 4 huge elementals (of each element), and a humanoid male (presumably [[Hederack]]).  [[Hederack]] sees through [[Smike]]'s invisibility--[[Smike]] flees but [[Hederack]] creates a //wall of blade// on him.  [[Smike]], seriously injured, falls through the wall and [[Pthia]] heals him.

<div right tip>Session \\ 2009-07-27</div>

Party waits around corner at bottom of stairs, and prepares for combat.  [[Smike]] //greater invisibles// [[Tak]] and [[Veelas]] //hastes// party.  [[Tak]] faces off against the earth elemental as it rises through the floor--and defeats it!

Meanwhile, [[Thacia]] enters from behind and approaches [[Veelas]].  He is confused by her presence and she steps close and kisses him.  He is teleported away!  It must have been the succubus, who now has the gem key.  [[Tak]] loots through the pile of treasure left behind when [[Veelas]]' //floating disc// disappeared.

[[Smike]] //dispels// the //wall of blades// so they can engage in combat.  [[Chikurin]] dismisses his //entangling// vines and rushes up the stairs (in //invisible// wolf form).  But [[Hederack]] was waiting for him and almost kills [[Chikurin]].  Desperately, [[Chikurin]] //baleful polymorphs// [[Hederack]] into a rabbit.

[[Tak]] (also //invisible//) follows [[Chikurin]] up stairs and battles air elemental.  The water elemental pools on the floor to reveal the locations of [[Tak]] & [[Chikurin]].  [[Tak]] is sucked up in air elemental's whirlwind.  [[Khouhn]] attacks to try free [[Tak]] but [[Pthia]] rescues both by //dispelling// air elemental's summons.

[[Smike]] finishes off the water elemental while [[Chikurin]] & [[Tak]] deal with the fire elemental.

[[Hederack]] (as a rabbit) tries to escape but [[Khouhn]] spots him and pins him.  [[Chikurin]] //polymorphs// into a rabbit to interrogate [[Hederack]].  He reveals: "[[Ecyoj]] [the succubus] spoke her true name to [[Veelas]] and took him back to her home in the [[Abyss]]."

==== 1pm Pthia's Bane ====

As party is interrogating [[Hederack]] they suddenly hear a scream. It's [[Pthia]]!  She tumbles down the stairs.  [[Khouhn]] drops [[Hederack]] and rushes down stairs to help [[Pthia]].  [[Tak]] follows.  

[[Smike]] sees [[Hederack]] bunny try to escape downstairs so he //fireballs// him--unfortunately, catching [[Pthia]] & [[Tak]] in the blast radius.  [[Chikurin]] follows up with a //flame strike// and [[Tak]] finishes [[Hederack]] bunny.

At bottom of stairs [[Khouhn]] & [[Tak]] try to resuscitate [[Pthia]]--but she's beyond help.  [[Smike]] sees singed lilac in mouth and declares this an attack by the [[Lilac Masks]]!  He tells party to quickly seal the room--they are probably still here.

<div right tip>Session \\ 2009-09-06</div>

Far end of room is shrouded in darkness.  [[Khouhn]] & [[Tak]] trace the walls to investigate.  [[Khouhn]] attacked by unknown enemy, narrowly avoids having throat slit!  He hears scampering up the wall and warns party.  [[Smike]] //dispels// the darkness but there is nobody to be found--just an open door behind [[Khouhn]].

==== 2pm Prison ====

Party opens door to room with large lever, a dial, and two silver platforms.  Ogre sees party and pulls lever, causing a troll to appear on a platform.  Ogre says, "Oops!", dials another number, steps onto platform, and disappears.  [[Tak]] & [[Khouhn]] drop the troll.  [[Khouhn]] pulls the lever (dial still on "8") and a lady appears.  She says platforms are transporters to prison.  There are more prisoners and maybe party can rescue them.

[[Khouhn]] volunteers to go through to help, [[Tak]] pulls lever and [[Khouhn]] disappears.  The "lady" transforms into a crone and attacks.  [[Tak]] brings [[Khouhn]] back and together they kill her.  Then [[Tak]] & [[Smike]] decide to go through with [[Chikurin]] & [[Khouhn]] standing guard at other end.

[[Tak]] (as wolf) & [[Smike]] find themselves in one of twelve force cages in a large room.  4 others in separate cages:
* a female elven cleric [[Vistria]],
* a halfling baker [[Athamel]] with one hand replaced with a claw,
* a lammasu (lion with wings) fading in and out of consciousness, and
* a fiery humanoid.

[[Smike]] talks to [[Vistria]], she knows [[Calmer]] ([[Cannoness]]' aide).  [[Vistria]] raises [[Pthia]] who, upon hearing of [[Veelas]]' plight, returns immediately to her temple to try plan a rescue.

The party frees all the prisoners: [[Reunox]] (fiery humanoid) says he now knows [[Imix]] is bad.  [[Malculus]] (lammasu) now out of stupor, will guide prisoners out of mines (except [[Vistria]] who intends to help party).  But first they rest.

==== 11pm Tentacles and vampires, oh my! ====

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG251.jpg}}

Continuing on quest to find way to inner fane, the adventurers come to a room with a glass pentagram on the floor.  Suddenly, tentacles burst through the glass, grabbing [[Chikurin]].  [[Tak]] & [[Khouhn]] fight their way through to rescue [[Chikurin]] and defeat tentacles.  [[Vistria]], seeing the danger in the quest, leaves with [[Tak]] as guide, to don [[Nasquent]]'s armour and shield.  

<div right tip>Session \\ 2010-01-19</div>

Before they return a green mist wafts through from the south and solidifies into a--vampire?!  [[Khouhn]] confronts and is visibly weakened every time he is hit so [[Smike]] tries to turn the vampire from //flesh to stone//.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work and only has the effect of drawing the vampire's wrath.  But [[Khouhn]] blocks his way, to get further drained.  The party rallies to his aid: [[Chikurin]] //calls lightning// down on the vampire, [[Vistria]] (after rushing back) attempts to //dispel//, and [[Smike]] //hastes// the party.  Finally, they prevail.  Upon falling, the vampire's body dissipates in smoke and returns whence it came.  [[Vistria]] partially //restores// [[Khouhn]] and the party rests again.

===== May 2 =====

==== 12am Varachan ====

While resting, [[Varachan]] comes, bringing purple robes, the tentacle rod, and special torches.  He says:
  * He has been called to the [[inner fane]] and expects his betrayal to be discovered.  He goes willingly to his doom.  He will try to distract the [[doomdreamers]] to give the party its best chance of penetrating the [[inner fane]] undetected.
  * Since the succubus guarding the key to the secret door is gone that path may be closed to party. 
  * There is a second way to the [[inner fane]]: on west side of vestibule, southeast of font, "through darkness."
  * Can find a horn in the vestibule and switches behind a screen.  Procedure: Flip left switch, touch horn with greater key, blow horn.  Repeat for middle and right switches in turn.
  * Party needs [[orb of silvery death]] (found in [[black cyst]]) to access [[elemental nodes]].
  * On the fourth level below the spire/obelisk there is a [[talisman of pure good]] that the [[doomdreamers]] are trying to corrupt--it could help the adventurers.
  * Party needs to capture the [[orb of silvery death]] and return to the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]] to go to the [[elemental nodes]].

==== 8am Vampire Reloaded ====

<div right tip>Session \\ 2010-02-08</div>

[[Vistria]] prays for [[Khouhn]] and restores some of his strength.  The party continues its quest to foil the [[doomdreamers]].  Passing through the vampire's room they turn to see the vampire, scrabbling across the wall behind them!  It drops down on [[Chikurin]]--[[Vistria]] compels it to //turn// but the vampire's power, restored, dominates and her holy symbol melts in her hand.

[[Chikurin]] and [[Smike]] buff the party and retreat to a safe distance.  The vampire strikes at [[Khouhn]], draining him of more strength.  [[Khouhn]], refusing to be intimidated, strikes a flurry of blows, dropping the vampire.  It dissolves into mist and sinks into the earth again.

[[Vistria]] collects [[Iolo]]'s holy symbol from the chained body and heals [[Khouhn]].  The party discusses what to do about the vampire.  [[Smike]] suggests consecrating the ground but they don't have any holy water.  But perhaps they can find the vampire's coffin and destroy its corpse while it rests.  [[Smike]] suspects the coffin is somewhere beneath us--perhaps down the stairs?

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/eo_fleshgolem_med.jpg}}

Continuing, the adventurers find a large room with panels showing people carrying torches south.  In the north are three alcoves in the wall, encased in a thick goo.  As [[Vistria]] leans in to examine the goo, a large claw reaches out and throws her to the ground.  A flesh golem pushes out of the goo and attacks.  A second one drags itself out of another alcove.  [[Tak]] and [[Khouhn]] engage while [[Chikurin]] //flame strikes//.  [[Smike]] //lightning bolts// one but it only looks energized.

[[Tak]] methodically deconstructs the first golem with stunning efficiency, then smoothly drops the second.  No more golems appear and the adventurers rest a moment before continuing.

==== 9am The Infernal Device ====

They decide to head north to the stairs down--they may find the vampire's grave there.  As they travel north warmth returns to the passage so they remove their robes.  

{{ toacMachine.jpg?400}}

The explorers descend the staircase to find a large room with a huge, evil-looking machine, taking up most of the room.  They agree it must be for nefarious purposes and discuss how to destroy it.  [[Khouhn]] takes the direct approach, he walks forward to smash it.  But before he gets close a chain shoots out, pulls his legs out from under him, and drags him towards the machine's mouth.  [[Khouhn]] kicks and fights but can't free himself--he is drawn into the machine, which closes around him.  The party hears whirring saw blades and sees black ichor pulsing through tubes as the machine comes alive.  They rush in to help--the chain darts out again and almost grabs [[Vistria]].  

The heroes hear the screams of [[Khouhn]] as a saw cuts through his shoulder, then the blast of a torch.  Next, gears start turning and a platform lifts out of the machine.  Meanwhile, [[Tak]] is hacking at the machine with little effect when the chain grabs him and pulls him in.  [[Khouhn]] is dropped from the platform, alive and conscious, onto the ground just beside [[Tak]] as he's pulled past.  They reach out to lock arms but [[Khouhn]] recoils--the arm he stuck out has been replaced by a monstrous, deformed arm and claw.  In shock, he misses his grasp on [[Tak]], who disappears into the machine.

<div right tip>Session \\ 2010-03-02</div>

[[Khouhn]], realizing a friend is in peril, recovers his composure and bashes at the machine to try free [[Tak]] before he is likewise mutilated.  But it is too late.  Again, the machine whirs to life--sawing, injecting, and welding.  [[Tak]] is ejected from the machine, healthy except that his left arm has been surgically replaced with a ten-foot-long tentacle!

The party backs off and decides against another frontal assault--who knows who else will be defiled?  Instead, they plan to find find somebody who they can interrogate about the workings of the device so they can reverse these diabolical mutilations.

==== 10am Death in Hederack's chambers ====

Heading south the party come to a room with an alcoved pillar in the center.  The alcoves--black, green, red, and indigo--each contain the figure of a person.  Not knowing how to interpret these alcoves the party moves on.

A door to the northeast reveals a luxurious bedchamber.  But as [[Khouhn]] & [[Tak]] step in, they are thrown back out.  [[Smike]] determines it must be a //forbidance// spell and is able to dispel the effect.  They enter and search the room; [[Smike]] subtly maneuvers himself the source of the strongest magic he can detect.  Meaning to pilfer it he reaches out to touch one of two books and suddenly drops dead!

For a few moments nobody notices, then they come to investigate.  Unfortunately, nothing can be done--[[Smike]]'s curiosity got the best of him and it killed him.  [[Chikurin]] and [[Vistria]] debate what to do for [[Smike]]--unfortunately they don't have the ingredients necessary to resurrect him.

Meanwhile, [[Tak]] opens a chest, reaching from a distance with his tentacle, to find:
  * 3 ewers with oil,
  * a large pouch,
  * a jar,
  * a silk-wrapped lens, and
  * a mummified hand.

[[Chikurin]] is convinced by [[Vistria]] & [[Khouhn]] to //reincarnate// [[Smike]] and begins the hour-long ritual, while the party guards the room.  New bones and tissues weave themselves together under [[Chikurin]]'s guidance, slowly forming into a humanoid shape.  [[Chikurin]] has little control over the form the new body will take but with careful concentration he is able to craft the body of a young, male gnome.  When satisfied with the physical form he begins the chant to draw [[Smike]]'s spirit into it.  After several uncertain minutes the body draws its first breath--[[Smike]] is alive!

Upon awaking in this new body [[Smike]] immediately begins complaining about it (and [[Chikurin]]'s lack of skill).  [[Khouhn]] berates him and forces [[Smike]] to grudgingly thank [[Chikurin]].  To passify [[Smike]] [[Tak]] agrees to carry [[Smike]]'s original body (now //gently reposed// by [[Vistria]]) in case it can be restored.

Upon investigating, one of the books is a small tome on the [[History of Magic]]. [[Smike]] packs it to read at rest.  The other is found to be [[Hederack]]'s journal.  Some excerpts follow:
<div round box>
//Excerpts from the Journal of [[Hederack]]//

IMAGINE my surprise to discover that Lord [[Iuz]], whom I had so faithfully and skillfully served until then, was not the true power behind the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]].  Even his ally, the demoness [[Zuggtmoy]], was but a pawn.  Cannily, I discovered that the true power was the cult of the [[Elder Elemental Eye]], and behind them, the cult of [[Tharzidun]].  Finally, a cause worthy of my skills and prowess.  Finally, I learned the proper path to ultimate power.  The [[Doomdreamers]] rule over the cult and the [[Triad]] are the masters of the [[Doomdreamers]].  I shall join their ranks, and eventually become the ultimate high priest of the [[Dark God]] himself--[[The First]].

I have gained much respect in my time here--they know greatness when they see it.  I have been entrusted with the [[tentacle rod]], symbol of my office, and mastery of the [[Greater Temple]] in the [[Outer Fane]].  Soon, I shall advance into the ranks of the [[Doomdreamers]] in the [[Inner Fane]].

IN my time as supreme commander of the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]], I saw no greater servant of evil than the one called [[Lareth]] the Beautiful.  [[Iuz]], [[Zuggtmoy]], and even [[Lolth]] recognized his power.  Although he died defending the [[Moathouse]], I brought him back from death--albeit disfigured.  I believe that he still lives in [[Nulb]], despite the fact that he knew the cult of the [[Elder Elemental Eye]] was willing to cover our escape from the area when the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]] fell.  Perhaps he is now insane.  What a waste.

WHEN I was informed that the [[Doomdreamers]] spoke the [[Prophecy of the Champion of Elemental Evil]], the one who would restore the power of the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]], I of course assumed that I was he.  Imagine my surprise to discover that I was not.  I believe, however, that I am the one who is destined to find this [[Champion]] and be his shepherd.  Or perhaps her shepherd?  I must contact [[Tessimon]].

[[TESSIMON]] of the [[Fire Temple]] came to the [[Outer Fane]] today.  We tested her in the [[Greater Temple]] and found that she was not the prophesied [[Champion]].  Still, she craved power and sought to seduce me yet again in order to get it.  I introduced her to the [[Infernal Device]].  Now she shall have a fiendish helper with her at all times--she got the power she craved, although I suspect she barely survived the process.

[[Zuggtmoy|ZUGGTMOY]] and [[Iuz]] created an artifact called the [[Orb of Golden Death]] to help them fashion the [[Elemental Nodes]] deep in the dungeon.  Now I know that they were given the secrets to do this through agents of the [[Doomdreamers]].  Although the [[Orb of Golden Death]] was destroyed (completely collapsing the underground levels of the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]] and sealing off the nodes), the cult of the [[Dark God]] has an artifact of which the [[Orb of Golden Death]] was just a copy.  They call it the [[Orb of Oblivion]] and have taken it to the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]] to recover the nodes.

ALTHOUGH the [[Doomdreamers]] have taken the [[Orb of Oblivion]], the [[Orb of Silvery Death]], another copy, still lies within the [[Black Cyst]], beyond the [[Purple Veil]].

MY enemy, the wizard [[Falrinth]], and his associate [[Smigmal Redhand]] are alive.  I happily assumed that they died when the [[Temple of Elemental Evil]] fell.  Now they work with the [[Doomdreamers]] in their excavation of the lower levels of the [[Temple of Elemental Evil|old Temple]], apparently because they knew a direct, secret way into the third level.  [[Dark God]] take them!  They are sure to betray the [[Doomdreamers]] in some way, and spoil all our plans.  If only someone would listen to my wisdom, [[Falrinth]]'s head would be sitting on the shelf next to my bath.

THE [[Rod of Force]] and the [[Rings of Force Armor]] are kept in the [[Black Cyst]] to await the [[Champion of Elemental Evil]], as gifts of the [[Dark God]] and symbols of his acceptance of the [[Champion of Elemental Evil|Champion]].

I now believe that the [[Champion of Elemental Evil]] is [[Lareth]] the Beautiful.  Just yesterday, [[Satau]] (our oracle illithid) confirmed that my suspicions are likely correct.  With that information, I used the [[tentacle rod]] in the [[Greater Temple]] to transport directly into the [[Inner Fane]]. Granted an audience with [[The First]] of the [[Triad]], I told him of my belief and [[Satau]]'s confirmation. [[The First]] said that as my reward, I would stand among the [[Doomdreamers]] when [[Tharzidun]] once again walked the earth.

--The journal ends here--

Attached is a note: "Dread [[Tharzidun]], power of the [[Elder Elemental Eye]] and master of all destructive forces, I am the [[Champion of Elemental Evil]] and am ready to carry out your wishes."
</div>

==== 10am Lilac Masks ====

<div right tip>Session \\ 2010-03-09</div>

The party continues exploring--they open a door into another bedchamber.  [[Khouhn]] steps in to be attacked by two figures hanging from the walls.  They lithely drop down, deal a few precise blows, and leap back up out of reach.  Each is wearing a half-mask: the [[Lilac Masks]]!  From what he has been able to piece together of the event, [[Smike]] believes these are the assassins who slit his throat a [[03 Crater Ridge Mines#ammurder|few months back]].

[[Smike]] //invisibles// [[Tak]] who is able to reach up and grab the woman with his tentacle-arm.  Meanwhile, [[Chikurin]] //entangles// the room, just leaving free space for [[Tak]].  [[Khouhn]] is able to climb up the entangling roots to attack the entangled man.

One of the [[Lilac Masks]] //darkens// the room to create a diversion but [[Smike]] //dispels// the darkness.  [[Tak]] finishes off the female and [[Khouhn]] defeats the male.

Removing the masks, the party discovers half-elven twins.  It appears they had an unnatural relationship.

Continuing south, the party encounters four guards--they dispatch three and knock the last unconscious.  Unfortunately, it looks like it will take a while for him to reawaken.  [[Tak]] & [[Chikurin]] offer to tie the guard up in the [[Lilac Masks]]' bedchamber so we can interrogate later.  (In fact, they kill him.)

The party don their ochre robes and meet up again at a large set of doors--the route to the [[inner fane]]?

==== 10am Tharzidun's Challenge ====

<div right tip>Session \\ 2010-03-21</div>

[[Tak]] opens the door to darkness.  A powerful wave of fear emanates from the room beyond--[[Thomas]] ([[Smike]]'s toad) refuses to go further so the party leaves him in [[Hederack]]'s chamber.  The party dominates their fear and circumnavigates the room, finding switches in the north wall and a raised dias to the south.

On the west wall a solid wall of force blocks the way, "guarded" by a statue.  As the adventurers approach the statue asks "Who?"  [[Tak]] answers "[[Tharzidun]]" and is teleported away.  [[Khouhn]] misunderstands the question, answers "Yes", and is also teleported.  They appear on the dias surrounded by animated statues of mocking demons.  Returning, [[Khouhn]] is attacked in the darkness by hellhounds, whose baying leave [[Tak]], [[Vistria]], & [[Khouhn]] fleeing in terror.  

After defeating the hellhounds our heroes work out the correct answers to this first and five other questions, allowing them to pass through the force barriers.  The answers are:
  - My name.
  - An object offered.
  - "Outer fane".
  - "To prevent [[Tharzidun]]'s release."
  - "Never".
  - "[[Tharzidun]]".
